10 Dollar

M.I.A.

China Girl is a little girl
From a town
That's all ya need to know

Lolita was a man-eater
Clocked him like a taxi meter

Fuck gold, she was platinum digger
Shakin' ass, makin' moves on a mover

Visa, then a plane ride to ya
Peace out, she'll kill you like Uma

She skipped away to the shop
She found she didn't have enough
She clocked him lookin' right at her
And sucked on a lollipop
She skipped away to the shop
And she found she didn't have enough
She clocked him lookin' right at her
And sucked on a lollipop

China Girl grew up to be a big girl
Had her sights set on a bigger world
Dial-a-Bride from Sri Lanka
Found herself a Yorkshire banker
Need a Visa
Got with a geezer
Need some money
Paid him with a knees-up
Year later, started to ease-up
Got her own way, shouted out, "See ya"

She skipped away to the shop
She found she didn't have enough
She clocked him looking right at her
And sucked on a lollipop
She skipped away to the shop
And she found she didn't have enough
She clocked him lookin' right at her
And sucked on a lollipop

Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh-oh oh
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh-oh oh
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey

What can I get for 10 dollar?
Everything you want
And what can I get for 10 dollar?
Anything you want
Yeah, what can I get for 10 dollar?
Everyting you want
Yeah, what can I get for 10 dollar?
Anything you want
What can I get for 10 dollar?
Anyting you want
And what can I get for 10 dollar?
Anyting you want
Yeah, what can I get for 10 dollar?
Anyting you want
Yeah, what can I get for 10 dollar?
Anyting you want

Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh-oh oh
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh-oh oh
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey

Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh-oh oh
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh-oh oh
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey
Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh, hey hey (ah)

(Ah, ah)
(Ah, ah)
(Ah, ah)


Lyrics submitted by Maraja

10 Dollar Lyrics as written by Mathangi Arulpragasam Richard X

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

10 Dollar song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

33 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    Oh and I danced on stage with M.I.A. to this song :D

    shanbalabuchon October 02, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/